What's My Crazy Life All About

I had a wonderful opportunity on Saturday to speak at a workshop series called "What's My Crazy Life All About?" The workshop was hosted by author Karen Bachert at Trine University in Mishawaka, Indiana. This first session was called " When Opportunity Knocks". It had all of the ingredients that are important for building a successful life. I was asked to share our story about Hello Gorgeous! and how I answered the door when opportunity knocked and I let it in.

This workshop is a series of 3 and will continue on August 28th,2010 and October 2nd, 2010. Seats are still available for the remaining 2 workshops at www.whatsmycrazylifeallabout.com .

Thank you Karen for such a wonderful event.

A Story of Inspiration

We were Lucky enough to be invited to the Susan G. Komen Walk in Mishawaka, Indiana this year. We decided that we would award a Gorgeous! Experience to a breast cancer survivor at this year's event. Our winner was not well enough to attend but her team, Tracy's Team, accepted her award in her honor. We were told that she was elated to hear that she had won a day of beauty. Tracy was going to be the 1st stop on our tour, the middle of June and we were very excited to put Warsaw Indiana on our tour schedule.

2 weeks later I received a phone call from Tracy's mother-in-law asking when her visit was going to take place. We explained to her that Tracy was our 1st stop out of South Bend on our tour and that would make it the middle of June. She requested that we move the date of Tracy's visit up. She explained that Tracy could really use it. I spoke with Trish and we decided to take care of Tracy the
Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend.

Tracy had suffered from breast cancer. She spoke very frank about her disease. She had been fighting for 5 years. She told me that the cancer was now in her lungs and in her bones, but that she thanked God everyday that it was not in her brain. I thought to myself, " What an amazing individual." Tracy was a fighter and fought her cancer with every weapon that she could get her hands on, traditional and non-traditional. She never stopped thinking of others. Even with her own pain present, she was doctoring to my husband Mike as we did her visit in the DaySpa.

We had a fantastic day with Tracy. Her friend Julie stayed and shared the visit with us. We treated Tracy to a manicure, pedicure, a facial and some hilites. I had gone shopping and picked up a couple of new shirts for Tracy to choose from and we aplied Tracy's make-up. Tracy was in some pain but did not want to miss out on any of the "Experience". She and I made a deal, I wouldn't constantly ask her if she was "ok" as long as when she wasn't "ok" that she would let us know.

Tracy's family took our suggestion and had a family get together to celebrate her new look. As Tracy was taken in the house, and we were walking up the sidewalk to join the party we heard a resounding "HELLO GORGEOUS!" from the backyard. How awesome!! When we arrived inside the house there were dozens of Tracy's Family and friends there to show their love and support for her. I kept thinking what an amazing woman - what strength. I gave Tracy a hug and a kiss on her cheek and told her to keep fighting. We drove off into the sunset and left her surrounded with love.

On Tuesday, the day after Memorial Day, we received a phone call that Tracy had passed away on Memorial Day, the day after our visit with her. I could not believe it. In my heart of hearts I thought I would see Tracy at our luncheon in November. To say the least I was in shock.

Mike and I attended the viewing and saw Tracy's friend Julie, who had spent that day with us. She said " You gave Tracy a great last day. You got her ready to meet the Lord." I will never forget that day as long as I live and I will no longer put things off until tomorrow, because it is promised to noone.

No time to buy a wedding gift today!

When Melissa's mom asked her to go shopping with her for a wedding gift for their friend, Kate, Melissa had no idea what was about to happen to her at the Tippecanoe Mall in Lafayette, Indiana.
Can you imagine Melissa's surprise when we found her at J.C. Penney's at the jewelery counter and surprised her with candy, flowers and a big "Hello Gorgeous!", equipped with a camera man from a local news channel. To say the least, Melissa was shocked. She kept saying, "What is happening?" Melinda from the Cancer Community Center in Lafayette told me about Melissa and recommended her for this special day of beauty.
Melissa had been diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer in July of 2009. Melissa explained that this is a difficult cancer to diagnose because it is not you typical "tumor". This cancer is more like a rash that looks like an orange peel and is very tender. Melissa had to have surgery and is now half way through her treatment and will be done in October.
We treated Melissa to a manicure, pedicure and a facial. Melissa's friend and hairstylist, Wendy from Barnyard Cuts, came to help us out on the DaySpa and cut and colored Melissa's hair.

J.C. Penney's outfitted Melissa with a new clothing look, Payless Shoe Source gifted her a new pair of shoes and several other retailers presented Melissa with gifts to help remember her special day. This also included a beautiful bracelet from Things Remembered and a gift certificate from Englin's for an additional pair of shoes.

Melissa's husband Todd was a great help and arranged a large group of friends and family to be present for her big reveal at the Main Entrance to the Mall. Melissa then went to Applebee's for dinner to celebrate her new look .






(Melissa After)







(Melissa Before)

A Day Jayna needed

Planning Gorgeous! visits in cities where you don't know anyone can be very difficult. Finding the right person who will be accepting of our services or finding someone that can find you the right person is not as easy as you might think.

Just days before our arrival to Bloomington, IN for a planned visit at College Mall, I still had not found a candidate to surprise. It was 4:45 on the Friday before the Sunday that the Surprise was to take place and I had noone to make-over. So I said to Mike " As much as I don't want to, I am going to have to call Dena at College Mall and cancel our event. I can't seem to find anyone in Bloomington." Not 2 minutes later my cell phone rang. It was a radiology nurse from Bloomington that had a candidate for me and some contact information. I was so happy that we were able to keep that stop on our tour.

I spoke with Jayna's mom and she was willing to help set up the surprise. Jayna was diagnosed with lung cancer in April of 2010 and was still undergoing treatments. Jayna was having Chemotherapy and Radiation at the same time and, from my understanding, still had a way to go before being finished with her treatments.

We arranged for Jayna to be at Macy's at College Mall at noon for the surprise, and it went off with out a hitch. We whisked her away into the Mobile Day Spa for a complete transformation. The only word that Jayna kept saying was, "Wow! Wow!" We pampered Jayna with spa services. Jayna was in the process of loosing her hair due to the chemo so I shaved her head then we tried on a new wig.

The girls from Macy's; Cassie, Danielle and Jenna; were fantastic. They worked very hard to help make Jayna's day perfect. Macy's provided her with a new outfit and Jenna from Estee Lauder applied Jayna's makeup. When Jayna was finished, and looking even more Gorgeous!, we drove her over to Longhorn Steakhouse where 20 members of her family and some close friends had gathered ( which Longhorn donated) for her reveal. What a great day! Jayna looked Gorgeous! and had a renewed strength to keep fighting. I knew we had done a great job when Jayna's 14 year old daughter grabbed her when she first saw her mom. Need I say more.

(Jayna Before)

"I alomost forgot I had breast cancer"

Kathy was a blast!! Kathy was innocently shopping in the Muncie Mall at Bath and Body works when we turned her whole world upside down. We surprised Kathy and told her that she was nominated for a day of beauty and that she had won. She kept saying "what? I won what?"
Kathy told us about her cancer battle. Kathy was diagnosed with breast cancer in March of 2010 and she hoped that she was done with treatment. Kathy had a 17 year old daughter that she does everything for and does very little for herself. This day is not something that she would have done on her own. Kathy admitted to us that she couldn't remember the last time that she had even shopped for herself.
We treated Kathy to a manicure, pedicure, facial,a new wig and a make-up lesson. Stephanie from Maurices came and outfitted Kathy with new hip outfit. Tiffany and Katie from Muncie Mall had lined up a few surprises for Kathy form some of the retailers that were delivered to the Mobile Day Spa. When we finished with Kathy's Make-over we drove her over to Outback Steakhouse in the Mobile Day Spa for her big reveal. There Kathy was greeted by her husband, daughter and lots of their family and friends, that is Kathy looked at me with a smile on her face and said " Kim, I almost forgot I have breast cancer!" How cool is that! We allowed Kathy to escape this horrible disease.....even for a little while.

Read Kathy's interview in my preveious blog and get her take on her day with us.

(Kathy before)

Here is the article that appeared in the Muncie Star Press about our Makeover.


http://www.thestarpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20107170309

Meeting? What Meeting?

Isabel arrived at the Cheesecake Factory at Fashion Mall in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday
July 9th, 2010 expecting to have a meeting with someone by the name of "Kim" to talk about starting a young survivors group for young cancer survivors in Indianapolis. Imagine her surprise when we found her in the bar with her husband, Seth and Robin Jackson from an organization known as Ovarcoming. Isabel was shocked to find out that she was going to be treated to a day of beauty and a make-over. Isabel is 31 years of age and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in May 2008. It was very hard for me to hear that with ovarian cancer you very rarely get a clean bill of health. Isabel explained to us that she will always have ovarian cancer.
We created a very special day for her. Isabel received hair color and haircut, manicure, pedicure, facial and make-up. Faith Boutique donated her outfit, Apricot Lane donated shoes and jewelry and Kelly and Ed from Fashion Mall lined up a ton of gifts from other retailers that were delivered to the Mobile Day Spa through out the visit. We ended her day with a dinner get together at Sullivan's Steakhouse. Isabel truly felt like a queen and did not give her meeting a second thought.

Not the Lunch Dawn expected!

(Dawn After)

Dawn's husband John told her that he was going to take her to lunch the Saturday before the 4th of July. He told her he really wanted to go to Applebee's at 5 Points Mall in Marion, Indiana. She had no idea what was about to happen.

We received Dawn's name from an organization call the Sharon Basset Foundation. We were informed that Dawn could use a bit of a pick me up. So we decided to give her a Gorgeous! surprise! (Dawn Before)

Dawn, her husband John and 2 of their 3 children arrived at Applebee's and just settled in and ready to order lunch when everything changed. The Gorgeous! Team showed up with flowers and candy and a big Hello Gorgeous! and whisked her away to the Mobile Day Spa, sitting right outside Applebee's. She looked fantastic and certainly not like someone that would need us but we soon found out what an inspiration she is. Dawn was Diagnosed with Breast Cancer in February of 2010. Dawn was told that her cancer could be removed with surgery and radiation. Treatment went as planned until Dawn got an infection and while that was being treated it was decided the Chemotherapy was going to be added to Dawn's treatment plan, 4 rounds every 3 weeks. Our "treatment plan" for Dawn was to pamper her with spa services, manicure, pedicure,facial and a shorter haircut. Sandra from Maurices came and outfitted Dawn with an awesome outfit. Friends then gathered to celebrate Dawn's new look. She entered the resturaunt with a smile a mile wide. She beamed and our job was complete.

Cancer survivor surprised with makeover

Here is the news video from our Lafayette Make-over, Melissa. Take a peak

Cancer survivor surprised with makeover

Nonprofit works to keep patients 'gorgeous' | jconline.com | Journal and Courier

We made the Newspaper in Lafayette , Indiana. Take a peak!


Nonprofit works to keep patients 'gorgeous' jconline.com Journal and Courier

Cancer survivor surprised with makeover

Here is the story that aired on Lafayette 18 about the make-over that we did at Tippecanoe Mall. She was amazing!
Cancer survivor surprised with makeover

Angels among us!!

On Monday of this week we needed to catch up on laundry after having 3 visits in 3 different cities 3 days in a row. I was busy tying up loose ends, making phone calls and laundry at the same time. Time got away from us and we had to leave the hotel to deliver Certificates of Appreciation and Thank you notes to the mall in Bloomington. While at lunch I realized that we forgot to switch the laundry and take it back to our room. We called the Fairfield Inn and told them about our forgetfulness and asked them to just pull it from the washer and place it on the dryer and we would take care of it when we returned. We we arrived in our hotel room, not only did they dry our clothes they were folded and sorted on the bed. What a wonderful surprise. It was very nice to be taken care of. We love the Marriott hotels and the housekeepers that take such good care of us. Thank You.

My wonderful Family!!!!

This trip has been a great success because of my family. They have been tremendous. My mom, Trisha,Dan and Brianna have met us every weekend on our tour. My aunt Sue and my stepfather have each been with us a few times as well. We really don't have a chance to miss home because they bring home to us. Thank you family!!! We love you and couldn't do this with out you!

A Heartfelt Donation

On Wednesday as I was leaving Greenwood there was a knock on the door of the Mobile Day Spa asking us to wait. Erika came out and told us that they made a decision to donate the student council money to our cause. Wow what a surprise. The donation was very generous and was given with a huge heart. Thank you Regency Beauty Institute for helping our women!

Regency Beauty Institute Greenwood, Indiana

On Wednesday I had a wonderful opportunity to speak with another group of fantastic future professionals. I encouraged them to follow their dreams and explained to them that 25 years ago I was sitting right where they are. I took questions and gave tours of the Mobile Day Spa. I explained to these future hairdressers that they are my future!

Thank you Regency for making me feel so at home!

Regegncy Beauty Institute Indianapolis (Avon)

What an amazing group of individuals! I had the wonderful opportunity to speak to a group of future professionals in Indianapolis. What a fantastic future my industry has knowing that these individuals will be hairdressers.
Thank you Regency Beauty for making me feel very welcome.

July 7th 2010 Video Blog

We had a Great, Great Day today!! While I was speaking to the future professionals at Regency Beauty Institute, Mike and Seth found a Go Cart/Mini Golf/ Pizza Place. They were in Heaven.

Home Team Hero Award

Hello Gorgeous! was nominated for a Home Team Hero Award in South Bend, Indiana and thanks to Gurley Leap Automotive and WSBT we were chosen! Thank you to all who nominated us!

My First Video blog

Here is my first video Blog. It was fun and I am going to try and blog this way more often. Enjoy!

Maurices

We have had awesome gifts from some amazing retailers. Their generosity never ceases to amaze me. We formed a relationship with Maurices at Hamilton Town Center in Noblesville, Indiana and Leeca the store manager did a fantastic job for our Gorgeous! Woman. She introduced me to her district manager Angie Becker. Last week they stopped by the hotel to see the Mobile Day Spa and to talk about our future, helping one another. To my surprise they presented ME with candy and flowers. I see a wonderful relationship starting flourish.

Thank you Angie and Leeca.

Affiliated Women International

I have had the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing women on this journey. I was told by a friend that I needed to meet a wonderful lady by the name of Linda Fitzgerald. I was able to catch up with her in Indianapolis last Wednesday. Linda is the CEO of a an organization known as
Affiliated Women International http://www.affiliatedwomen.com/ . This organization is dedicated to empowering women worldwide. Their mission is to be a source to enrich, encourage and equip women for greater empowerment in their homes; communities and across the world. What I thought was going to be a 45 minute meeting turned into an entire evening of networking and building friendships. I was asked to speak to their group and share my story and gave tours of the Mobile Day Spa. I was received with open arms. Thank you Affiliated Women for making me feel right at home.

Kokomo Tribune

We made the paper in Kokomo!! http://kokomotribune.com/local/x1671036819/Woman-battling-cancer-gets-surprise-makeover

The Shock we gave to Linda

Linda was under the impression that she was going to lunch and then shopping with her mom and her sister. Imagine her surprise when we approached Linda at the Paradise Cafe at Hamilton Town Center in Noblesville, Indiana with a camera man from Channel 6 to let her know that she was nominated for a day of beauty and that she had won.


Dan escorted Linda down the red carpet and into the Mobile Day Spa for her pampering to begin. We talked with Linda about what was going to take place and consulted with her about what she would like to do with her hair.


Linda is a breast cancer survivor. She has battled cancer 2 times and had a double mastectomy. Beacause of the type of cancer Linda had she was not eligible for regular implants so they had to use muscles and tissue from her abdomen. She told us it was the longest 8 weeks of recovery. All of this with her 2 year old twin boys that she was taking care of by herself. Needless to say Linda took very little if any time for HER!!


Her day began with a manicure and pedicure by Darcy from Rain Salon while I colored and hilighted Linda's hair. She also recieved a facial and a makeup application from Trisha and Leeca from Maurices came to outfit Linda with a new "Rockin' Mom" outfit.


When we finished with her make-over Linda was greeted with a big
Hello Gorgeous! by family and friends at Mo's Irish Pub. Linda Glowed!


She kept saying to us that this seemed so surreal to her. That things like this never happen to her. We assured her that this was truely her dream come true.

Zumba Shelly

Last Saturday June 26th, 2010 we had the opportunity to meet a real FIREBALL!!! Shelly is an amazing women who thought she was going to Markland Mall in Kokomo, Indiana to zumba for 4 hours for an event that was actually for her. Little did she know that we something completely different in mind for her.



Shelly is a breast cancer survivor . She is finished with chemo and is getting ready for her next step, surgery. We thought Shelly could use a bit of pampering. We showed up unannounced on the Zumba Stage with flowers and candy and a big Hello Gorgeous! and Dan, Mike and Seth escorted her off of the stage through the mall and onto the mobile day spa.

Shelly was treated to a manicure, a pedicure and a facial. We found a wig that was fun and spunky like Shelly and Trish applies her make-up. What we did not know was that Mary Martin the Marketing Director at the Markland Mall had sent a note out to all of the retailers letting them know what was happening. Shelly had surprise visitors all day long bringing her gifts. Sears came with a new outfit. Englins showed up with a new pair of shoes. Victoria Secret came with bath goodies. Andrews Jewelers came with a matching pearl necklace, bracelet and earrings for Shelly.
Books-a- million made Shelly her foo fie drink. Ben's Soft Pretzels delivered a fresh hot pretzel to our Mobile Day spa. Everyone at Markland Mall helped give Shelly an amazing day, beyond my wildest dreams,

When we were finished, we escorted Shelly back into the mall where her Zumba cronies, her husband and her parents were waiting for her reveal. She looked amazing and it was very hard to say goodbye! I did not want the day to end any more than Shelly did.

Shelly is very inspirational and tells her story every chance she gets hoping to bring awareness to the fact that anyone can get cancer even a fitness instructor that lives for health.